Chapter 1 - AAGHHHH! (The Mind of the Job Seeker)

“Time to look for a new job,” means either you are unsatisfied with your current position or you are currently lacking a position. Either way you are dealing with stress. The stress is a result of the apparent situation, as well as the fact that you must now put your skills and accomplishments on display to be critiqued, cope with rejection, deal with a multitude of recruiters and HR professionals, and spend much of your precious time researching employers and finding positions. It’s enough to drive many people completely mad. I understand.

I understand, but employers and recruiters don’t have time to understand. They are trying to sift through numerous resumes, pre-screen potentially qualified candidates, interview and evaluate candidates, and justify the cost and need of hiring for a position. Becoming emotional during a job search is the best way to be eliminated from the short list of candidates.
So, how do you keep your emotions in check?
· Take your emotions out of the equation. Your job is not a complete definition of who you are. Consider your job search as a temporary project you must complete for your career (which is really all it is). Remember the “big picture.” Your career expands 20+ years, the project of searching for your next job last a few months, give or take.

· Focus on the positive news. In the best market, when unemployment was at the lowest point, employers were shutting down or downsizing. During the Depression there were employers expanding and generating revenues. It is always possible to play the victim of a force that is not in your control. However, it’s not going to help much. Stay focused on who is doing well, why they are doing well, and take notes.

· Eliminate negative energy. If you are working in a job that is inhibiting you from maintaining the right attitude during your job search, find a way to get out. Many professionals have taken temporary low-level jobs so that they could maintain the right mindset as they transition to their next career step. Friends and loved-ones often unintentionally become NaySayers out of concern for your well being. Keep them assured that you are in control, and appreciate their support. Limit contact with anyone who consistently expresses negative concern until you are back on your feet.

· Stay social. Searching for a new job takes time. If you are also working while searching for your job, you probably feel as though something has to give. Don’t let it be your social life. If you are involved with a church or community center, stay involved. Continue to be involved with your friends and family. If you need to cut social activities that involve money, be sure to replace them with free activities, such as volunteering. Not only will you keep your emotions in check, you will have ample opportunity to network.

· Get your finances in order. Get a clear perspective of exactly how much money you need. You may need to cut down on dining out, or eliminate an extracurricular activity. In more extreme cases, you may need to downsize your current lifestyle by trading in your car for a less expensive model or even downsizing your house. The important thing is to make sure that money issues are not contributing immensely to the already stressful circumstances of a job search. Be sure to check into other services that can help you out if money is tight. Government services are discussed later in this manual, but also check into Credit Counseling Services, and other non-profit organizations. Resist the urge to increase your debt. If you do need to borrow money, research all your options, family, friends, refinance of mortgages and so forth. Be sure you understand and are willing to accept all the implications of borrowing money.

Remember:
As a rule, people do not like change. However, Life, in all it's infinite wisdom, forces change upon us, which often times makes us stronger, smarter, and overall more evolved people.